One of the best ways to become a better artist is to study other artists. The Charleston Artist Guild is a group that is working and growing together. The guild operates a members' gallery, sponsors numerous juried art shows, promotes art-related educational workshops and has active community outreach programs.

The group strives to serve Charleston's art community by "providing education in all aspects of the art world: workshops for the practicing artist or photographer, lectures for the burgeoning collector, and community outreach to serve the needs of the greater society through art," says its Web site.

It holds monthly meetings September through May that are open to the public at no cost in which accomplished artists and experts make presentations and give demonstrations in many subjects and mediums.

The guild also has a gallery, The Charleston Artist Guild Gallery, that give up to 50 of its exhibiting artists a permanent place to show and sell their work.

The organization also hosts many juried exhibits throughout the year and works closely with the city of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in sponsoring the Piccolo Spoleto Juried Exhibition.

In addition to encouraging its member artists with workshops, programs of instruction, and opportunities to show their work, the Guild reaches out to the community to help less fortunate and younger artists in the tri-county area.

The guild's fall workshop schedule is packed with artist lectures and demonstrations. Sign up for them now as space is limited and some of the workshops are already beginning to sell out.

Expect to see some of the following artists conducting workshops this fall: Rick Reinert, oil painting (note: one of Reinert's workshops sold out immediately and another has been added); Dianne Munkittrick, interactive acrylics, oils, pastels and watercolor; James Sulkowski, oils and pastels; Barbara J. Dunham, collage and mixed media; Rebecca Kahrs Willis, watercolor painting; and Joyce and Don Nagel, pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors.

The guild has an active membership that meets regularly to exchange ideas, exhibit and contribute to the local community. New members are welcome.

For more information about signing up for a workshop or the guild itself, call 722-2454 or visit them in person at the gallery at 6 N. Atlantic Wharf or online at www.charlestonartistguild.com.

'Rising stars'

On Friday, visit Expectations Studio in Mount Pleasant for an art show featuring some of Charleston's newly discovered talent.

Owners Paul and Stephanie Silva are presenting the works of young artist Barbara Tarr, a rising junior at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.

Tarr was born and raised in Charleston. The public is invited to come and view her fresh collection of works, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beverages and live music by Zoo Kept Crush, also new to Charleston's music scene.

The reception will take place 7-9 p.m. at Expectations Studio, 1256-B Ben Sawyer Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. For more information, contact owner Paul Silva at 810-5262 or visit www.expectationstudio.com.